Summary
Experts clarify the distinctions between mild, moderate, and severe equine asthma during a recent live event. Mild and moderate cases typically show no respiratory signs at rest, with coughing occurring primarily at the beginning of exercise and a slower recovery noted. These horses exhibit mild to moderate airway inflammation, detectable through bronchoalveolar lavage, but do not display the severe symptoms associated with more advanced cases.
In contrast, severe equine asthma presents with significant clinical signs at rest, including persistent coughing and increased respiratory effort. The airway samples from these horses reveal a higher concentration of inflammatory cells, indicating a more serious condition. The discussion highlights that not all horses with mild or moderate asthma progress to severe forms; some may resolve without developing further complications.
The terminology surrounding equine asthma has evolved over the years, with terms like heaves, recurrent airway obstruction, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease being used in the past. Currently, mild to moderate asthma is recognized as a distinct category, particularly affecting younger performance horses, while severe asthma is more commonly associated with older horses. The experts anticipate that naming conventions may continue to change as new research emerges.
Show Notes
This is a special Ask TheHorse Live bonus episode, revisiting our conversation with Drs. Kelsey Hart and Kate Hepworth-Warren on the topic of managing asthma in horses. Mild to moderate equine asthma can cause subtle performance issues, while severe asthma causes coughing and breathing difficulties even at rest. This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, "Managing Asthma in Horses," brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. Listen to the full recording here: https://thehorse.com/1146790/managing-asthma-in-horses/. About the Experts: Kelsey A. Hart, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM), is a professor of large animal internal medicine and Hodgson Chair of equine studies at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens. She received her DVM from Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, in 2004. She completed an internship and a residency in large animal internal medicine and a PhD in endocrinology at the University of Georgia. Hart’s research centers on immune-endocrine interactions during illness, and the diagnosis and treatment of equine sepsis and endocrine diseases. Kate Hepworth-Warren, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, in 2010 with her DVM. Following graduation, she did an internship in Florida and then moved back to the Midwest for an equine internal medicine residency at Iowa State University (ISU), in Ames. After achieving board-certification in large animal internal medicine, she stayed on for a year at ISU and then spent four years in private practice in New Jersey. In June of 2019, she accepted her current position as associate professor at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, and moved south. Her favorite type of cases are neonatology, respiratory disease, and neurology.
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This is a special Ask TheHorse Live bonus episode, revisiting our conversation with Drs. Kelsey Hart and Kate Hepworth-Warren on the topic of managing asthma in horses. Managing equine asthma starts with identifying and reducing triggers, such as hay dust or pasture allergens, through targeted changes to feeding and turnout. This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, "Managing Asthma in Horses," brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. Listen to the full recording here: https://thehorse.com/1146790/managing-asthma-in-horses/. About the Experts: Kelsey A. Hart, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM), is a professor of large animal internal medicine and Hodgson Chair of equine studies at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens. She received her DVM from Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, in 2004. She completed an internship and a residency in large animal internal medicine and a PhD in endocrinology at the University of Georgia. Hart’s research centers on immune-endocrine interactions during illness, and the diagnosis and treatment of equine sepsis and endocrine diseases. Kate Hepworth-Warren, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, in 2010 with her DVM. Following graduation, she did an internship in Florida and then moved back to the Midwest for an equine internal medicine residency at Iowa State University (ISU), in Ames. After achieving board-certification in large animal internal medicine, she stayed on for a year at ISU and then spent four years in private practice in New Jersey. In June of 2019, she accepted her current position as associate professor at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, and moved south. Her favorite type of cases are neonatology, respiratory disease, and neurology.
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Managing horses with asthma starts with controlling the horse’s exposure to airborne irritants, particularly dust and mold from hay and bedding. Modifying turnout schedules, improving barn ventilation, and adjusting feeding practices can improve affected horses’ clinical signs. If you suspect your horse might have asthma, work with your veterinarian to develop a management and treatment plan. Two experts discuss the ins and outs of managing horses with asthma in this Ask TheHorse Live episode. This episode is brought to you by Kentucky Performance Products. About the Experts: Kelsey A. Hart, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM), is a professor of large animal internal medicine and Hodgson Chair of equine studies at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens. She received her DVM from Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, in 2004. She completed an internship and a residency in large animal internal medicine and a PhD in endocrinology at the University of Georgia. Hart’s research centers on immune-endocrine interactions during illness, and the diagnosis and treatment of equine sepsis and endocrine diseases. Kate Hepworth-Warren, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, in 2010 with her DVM. Following graduation, she did an internship in Florida and then moved back to the Midwest for an equine internal medicine residency at Iowa State University (ISU), in Ames. After achieving board-certification in large animal internal medicine, she stayed on for a year at ISU and then spent four years in private practice in New Jersey. In June of 2019, she accepted her current position as associate professor at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, and moved south. Her favorite type of cases are neonatology, respiratory disease, and neurology.
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